Contact: Timothy Svoboda, (202) 225-2476
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) today introduced a bill that would significantly aid in the fight against the opioid abuse epidemic that has been plaguing America. This bill will amend the Controlled Substances Act to decrease the amount of fentanyl that carries a minimum five-year sentence from ten grams to two grams.
“Opioid abuse has been a problem in America for years, but now that stronger and stronger substances are being introduced, the problem is as concerning as ever.”
“It’s not uncommon for drug dealers to add fentanyl to other drugs in order to differentiate themselves from their competition. Structurally, fentanyl is most closely related to Heroin, but it is cheaper and easier to make. One major difference is the lethal dose, which for heroin is 30 mg while fentanyl is just 3 mg. The average drug dealer may not know this, so when they add it into another drug, the dose could potentially be fatal. We have seen this happen far too many times”
“According to the National Institute of Health, fentanyl-related deaths have been rising at an alarming rate, jumping from about 2,500 in 2013 to over 20,000 in 2016.”
“The laws we have on the books right now aren’t discouraging people from dealing and taking massive quantities of fentanyl. It’s time to try something new. I believe this bill will benefit communities and families in Wisconsin by keeping both criminals and fentanyl off the streets.”
